Russian homophobia from Stalin to Sochi / Dan Healey.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Examining nine "case histories" that reveal the origins and evolution of homophobic attitudes in modern Russia, Dan Healey asserts that the nation's contemporary homophobia can be traced back to the particular experience of revolution, political terror and war its people endured after 1917. The book explores the roots of homophobia in the Gulag, the rise of a visible queer presence in Soviet cities after Stalin, and the political battles since 1991 over whether queer Russians can be valued citizens. Healey also reflects on the problems of "memorylessness" for Russia's LGBT movement more broadly and the obstacles it faces in trying to write its own history. Makes use of little-known source material -- much of it untranslated archival documentation -- to explore how Russians have viewed same-sex love and gender transgression since the mid-20th century. Provides a compelling background to the culture wars over the status of gay citizens in Russia today, while serving as a key text for all students of Russian social history over the last hundred years. --Adapted from summary provided by publisher.

"An historical exploration of Russian homophobic attitudes and their origins in the country's troubled 20th century"--Provided by publisher.